Dmitri Mazur showed no sign of being intimidated by the former world No 10, matching the Thai’s powerful groundstrokes shot by shot. But Paradorn kept his cool and cut down the mistakes, managing crucial breaks when he needed them most to win the match 4-6 7-5 7-5 6-3 in two hours and 41 minutes.

Earlier, compatriot Danai Udomchoke won a match full of unforced errors against Uzbek No 1 Vadim Kutsenko 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 6-3 in 2 hours 10 minutes to give Thailand their first point.

Paradorn could barely speak the night before his match. He went into the match looking weary and in the first set he netted or hit out many balls. “I was not in a condition to play my standard tennis today. I had to rely on my experience to win the match. You could see that I couldn’t do anything in the first set,’’ said Paradorn, his voice sounding harsh.

“But Mazur was playing well because he had nothing to lose. He ran for every shot and played very solid from the baseline,’’ added Paradorn who picked up a cold after being exempted from militarily service on Wednesday.

Danai was leading 5-3 in the first two sets but blew his chances to wrap them up easily by committing simple errors. He managed to prevail, but later explained that his poor form was caused by his decision to try a new racquet.

“I could not play the crucial points well and missed the ball when I went for my shots. I need time to adjust to this new racquet,’’ said Danai, who now has a 2-0 record against the Uzbek.

After rallying from 0-3 down in the tie-break to take the first set 7-6 (7-4), Danai squandered a 5-3 lead in the second set when he over-hit an easy forehand and let Kutsenko get back into the match at 4-5. The Uzbek did not seize the opportunity though, unbelievably serving three successive double faults to hand the Thai the second set.

In the dull third set which saw the two miss many easy shots, Danai converted a crucial break to lead 5-3, thanks to an erratic forehand from his opponent. The Thai blasted an ace to reach match point and completed the contest after Kutsenko’s backhand landed out.

Mazur, who turned pro at the same time as Paradorn in 1997, impressed the crowd with his gutsy performance against the world No 12 by trading heavy blows with the Thai big-hitter. Only inexperience let him down.

“I wasn’t thinking of him as the No 12 player – just as another player. I tried to learn positive thinking from this match, but would have been happier if I had won,’’ said Mazur who has lost his first Davis Cup singles in three matches.

Today, Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana go into action in the doubles against Kutsenko and Murad Inoyatov. Channel 3 will broadcast the match from 2.10pm. Thai team captain Chanachai Srichaphan expects Thailand to win to seal victory.

“I’m very confident that my doubles players are better. We will win finish the tie tomorrow for a 3-0 lead,’’ said Chanachai, who plans to keep Paradorn and Danai on the sidelines tomorrow by using the twins in the reverse singles if Thailand leads 3-0.

With their backs against the wall, the Uzbeks must win the doubles to keep their hopes alive in the tie.

“Thailand has good players and plays good tennis. They feel confident because they are playing at home. For the doubles, Thailand has the twins who are good players. But we know their game and we will try to win,” Uzbek captain Aleksey Yolkhin said.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam
The Nation